It’s important to understand that [Occam’s] Razor doesn’t say the simpler of two explanations is the more likely, nor does it say that the more popular, more widely believed, or easier to understand explanation is the more likely. It doesn’t even say that one explanation is necessarily more likely than two or more. All it says is that if one explanation can account for at least as much of the observed truth of a situation as two or more explanations, then it’s more likely that the one explanation is closer to the true explanation than the two or more explanations.[1]~ Lawrence Afrin

The great thing about science is that it’s true whether you believe in it or not.~ Neil deGrasse Tyson

Coalescent Thinking For Chronic Treatment Failure

Jennifer’s Mast Cell Activation Syndrome Story

“Consider your life.

Now consider how your life might change if things like loud noise, heat, strong emotions or stress, odors or even being startled could cause you to have an allergic reaction. Imagine suffering allergic reactions so frequently that you prayed for just 30 seconds of real relief each day. Imagine dreading the next response, because it may bring vomiting and diarrhea, convulsions, unresponsiveness or even paralysis-like symptoms.

‘The disease can be a life-ruiner. I was unable to work, live independently, drive, have a social life—or have much of any life,’ said Jennifer.”

Her Immunity Issues: ‘The world just wasn’t safe for me.’

Although she was always very sensitive to allergens, Jennifer’s overall health began to nose dive in her early 20s. A Maryland resident, Jen was forced to resign from her job when a variety of physical symptoms—including severe headaches, cognitive difficulties, and fever-like problems—began to affect her health.

In 2010, Jennifer was misdiagnosed with Lyme disease. Treatment for Lyme disease did not alleviate her symptoms, which became more severe over time. Jennifer began experiencing seizure-like episodes, slurred speech, insomnia and muscle weakness.

‘I was so sick and pretty much bed-bound for a couple of years. My parents had to help me to the bathroom two feet away,’ Jennifer said. ‘No doctor seemed to have any clue what was happening.’

But neither diagnosis seemed to account for all of Jennifer’s difficulties, which continued to become more severe. At times, she felt the tissues of her throat closing—a life-threatening occurrence known as anaphylaxis.

In 2013, the two doctors that diagnosed her with POTS and EDS both referred her to Lawrence Afrin, MD, who was transitioning from the Medical University of South Carolina to a new position at the University of Minnesota Medical Center. Afrin is one of the most prominent international experts on mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS).

Dr. Afrin’s Insightful Discovery For Jennifer

…misunderstandings and neglect create more confusion in this world than trickery and malice. At any rate, the last two are certainly much less frequent.~ Goethe – 1774
Don’t assume bad intentions over neglect and misunderstanding.~ Hanlon’s Razor – 1990

Dr. Lawrence Afrin

‘MCAS is a chameleon, difficult to identify for many reasons,’ Afrin said. ‘It presents with different symptoms—which are often inflammatory or allergic in nature—to varying degrees in different places in the body.’ To make matters worse, many healthcare providers are not yet familiar with the condition. Though more research on MCAS is emerging, relatively little information exists about the syndrome in medical literature. [Must: see the link to Dr. Afrin’s excellent book on MCAS below.]

At a follow-up appointment with Afrin months later, two of Jennifer’s lab results came back positive, including her level of histamine, which was five times the normal limit. Histamine is a chemical neurotransmitter that causes allergic responses. That day, Afrin diagnosed Jennifer with mast cell activation syndrome.

Mast cells, which release histamine, are a critical component of a person’s immune system. But in patients with mast cell activation syndrome, the mast cells are overactive. Many of Jennifer’s symptoms were allergic reactions—caused when her hyperactive mast cells responded.

Jennifer’s Comment On Dr. Afrin

‘Out of the hundreds of doctors that I have seen, it was Dr. Afrin who saved my life,’ Jennifer said. ‘Never once did I feel the need to ‘prove’ that my symptoms were real or of physical origin as I’ve had to with other physicians. He just believed me.'” [3]

————

Dr. Afrin’s Work With MCAS Also Serves As a Metaphor For The Evolution Of Neuroscience

Molecular measures also change the rules of the psychiatric diagnostic and treatment game. Why? Improved target recognition for contributory molecular mind variables offers increased precision and more predictable outcomes. The complexity of mind science requires more comprehensive thinking and data inquiry. Insufficient knowledge based upon old science is just that – insufficient. Diagnosis by appearances is not categorically wrong – far too often it’s just inadequate – as it was in my practice before I had to admit defeat with then-best diagnostic labels and traditional psychiatric medical information.

My Strong Recommendation To Mind Science Professionals At Every Level: Read It Now

MCAS is a global problem, not limited to Dr. Afrin’s post in Minneapolis at the University of Minnesota. In my offices, I’ve missed it for years because this information didn’t arrive on my doorstep wrapped in an Amazon package.

If you care about or care for, chronic, refractory treatment failure, both medical and psychological/psychiatric – you absolutely must first listen here to this first CBJ/028 interview with Dr. Afrin, then you must read his fresh, engaging, unpretentious, life-changing book. Read it even if you’re a Ph.D. psychologist, an LPC or LCSW – and indeed, if you’re an FNP, PA or trained medical professional at any level – especially Family Practitioners and Internists on the front lines who repeatedly witness treatment failure.

Why? Because you often see patients like Jennifer in your offices and regret it when you don’t know what to do.

Overcome your immunity denial, your concern about litigation [see the multiple references below] based upon challenges from dogma and disbelief, and dive into these refreshing waters not only for the broken souls in your office, but for your well-being, self-mastery, and your job-well-done legacy. This book builds character.

Dr. Afrin never claims, even in the context of his earnest, passionate, opinionated self, to have all the answers. Just read a few paragraphs, and you’ll quickly feel that he’s an old buddy you met out at your lake house one summer in Minnesota. He’s humble with what he didn’t know then, and what he doesn’t know now.

He’s just smarter about MCAS than we are.

His relentless search, his new answers, directly inform our work every day as examples for both original process and informed content.

Book Alert

I’ll warn you from the outset; you won’t get every detail on your first read of Never Bet Against Occam – as I didn’t at my first cursory read. But don’t let that dissuade you. The language and concepts are different, and Dr. Afrin ties in so much for our collective next steps in Mind Science on immunity, chronic illness, cognition, and the pervasive failures with psychiatric medications – that’s the reason this one is essential. [RE: Histamine matters – Dr. William Walsh agrees, as it creates issues with neurotransmitter imbalances through dysregulation of methylation and transporter proteins at this CBJ/025 Interview.]

You may already know: that Prozac doesn’t improve MCAS and will often interfere with the treatment. Biomedical insights, informed targets, offer new hope when any of us are less informed. If you don’t know what you’re shooting at you just can’t hit it.

————

Complimentary 028 Afrin Drawing Closes Midnight July 26, 2016:

For: Never Bet Against Occam

– Enter The Drawing Here –

————-

Your Next CoreBrain Journal Episode

029: Pam Stokes-Eggleston Pamela Stokes-Eggleston is the founder of Yoga2Sleep. She teaches yoga, meditation, and best practices to cope with insomnia, sleep deprivation, and stress. Her classes serve different, often underserved populations, including veterans, service members, and their families. As the daughter of an Air Force veteran and granddaughter of an Army veteran, she fully understands the downstream effects of combat stress. But it wasn’t until she became the actual caregiver of a wounded warrior, her husband, that she struggled with sleep deprivation and anxiety herself. Pam is quick, engaging, fun, and fast on her feet as shares fresh perspectives on recovery from post trauma, TBI, and the stress of everyday life for military spouses. In this episode, she tells us details about her evolution and significant contributions.

I am listening in from Sweden, and I learn so much from Dr Parker and his interesting guests. Sadly, information like this is hard to find amongst practitioners here, and underlying factors to symptoms are of little interest. I am thankful to Dr Parker dedicating time in spreading word about helping people with psycological dysfunctions from a non conventional angle. Thank you!

Core Brain Journal--Neuropsychology

May 25, 2017 by Dr Terry James Gingras from United States

Just finished session 118 with neuropsychologist, Dr. Braun. Excellent content presented in a relaxed style. I'm a neuropsychoogist with a specialization In ADHD so I appreciate both Dr. Parker's and Dr. Braun's efforts demystifying the practice of neuropsychology.

Exceptional interviews !!

May 16, 2017 by MCVGRL from United States

Core Brain Journal, with Dr. Charles Parker is a must listen for a wide audience.
If you are either the individual, suffering from complex personal medical/ psychological issues; or a family member, friend... please tune in often.

Podcast 107 (Brain Health) - Very informative!

April 13, 2017 by ad1978mke from United States

I especially liked this Podcast because it provided a wealth of valuable brain health research and tips in an approachable, easy-to-listen-to format. The rapport between the Guest Speaker (Dr. Braun) and Host (Dr. Parker) was evident, and I hope to hear another Podcast with this Guest Speaker!

Top quality information

February 5, 2017 by MD Ireland from Ireland

As a functional medicine doc I found this iterview stimulating, inspiring and it is full of clinically useful information

Fascinating

February 1, 2017 by jinki1 from United States

If you love science and psychology, then this is for you. The brain is such a mysterious machine, and listening to experts discuss how it works is fascinating. This seems like a pick-and-choose type podcast: I'll skip the shows focusing on estrogen and alzeimer's and go for creativity, anxiety, music, and others. But what I've listened to so far is great.

My Brain Thanks You!

January 13, 2017 by B. Keenan Johnston from United States

Thanks for shedding some much needed light on issues of the brain. I recently became interested in the subject when I was listening to NPR do a segment on neuroplasticity. I could never remember the name of the author, but it helped me find this great podcast!

Flipping Junkie Review

December 23, 2016 by Danny Johnson -Flipping Junkie from United States

Awesome podcast! I really loved the bipolar episode. Wonderful insight into these issues. Keep up the good work!

“How I Found Myself” Dean Roberts

December 2, 2016 by Don Hutcheson from United States

I just had the pleasure of listening to Dr. Charles Parker’s latest interview with Mr. Dean Roberts on the topic: “How I Found Myself.” The thesis of this remarkable podcast is that the difference between treatment success and failure for conditions such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD and others is often the result of omitting crucial brain, biomedical, and functional neuroscience information and insights. Well done and much-needed. Wish you continuing success!

I may be a geek...

November 19, 2016 by JHHealy from United States

But as an addictions recovery coach I find this brain science utterly amazing! Great show, love it!

Keep up the Great work Dr Chuck

November 18, 2016 by imupat3am from United States

Just finished listening to the lateste episode with Dr Kelly Morrow-Baez the epsiode was about her and working with women ages 45-60.... Great podcast will be listening to more

GROUND SHAKING

November 13, 2016 by Restlesstaxpayer from United States

Your shows are always very informative but the last two with Tom O'Brien andDavid Siever are absolutely revolutionary every doctor in the country should listen to both of them twice a day I cannot overstate how important this information is
I am sending links to everyone
I care about Thank you

21st Century Pioneer

September 16, 2016 by Louis Di Bianco from Canada

Dr. Charles Parker offers us cutting edge knowledge in our rapidly changing world. The episde on music healing si a breath of fresh air. We need more natural healing alternatives like this one. It's easy to understand how music heals when you know that everything in our world is energy. Thank you for this important show.

Episode 46 - such important work!

September 16, 2016 by Michelle at Inner North Star from United States

I have done quite a bit of work around Post Traumatic Stress, being a Veteran and First Responder myself. This work with music/sound therapy is very interesting and this episode is well worth the listen. This podcast has relevant information we can all benfit from!

Very informative and filled with value

June 19, 2016 by Jimwj from United States

This is an excellent podcast which provides smart, science-based, information which focuses on the mind and body. Great podcast. Check it out.

Very informative!

June 13, 2016 by Thomas O'Grady, PhD from United States

I’ve listened to a few episodes and this was an interesting podcast.

Loved the episode with peggy

June 11, 2016 by Courageous1 from United States

Great work Charles - Love the episode with Peggy about anxiety. Keep it up!

Fresh Mind Science

June 10, 2016 by ADHD reWired from United States

This is a great podcast for anyone interested in learning more about the brain and are looking for solutions. Great for clinicans, coaches and consumers. Thank you for creating this podcast!

Valuable Information

June 10, 2016 by dannytay92 from United States

Dr. Parker is a friendly, easy-to-listen to host, and this content is so valuable. All of us know people who could benefit from the specific topics of each episode.

Truly Meaningful Content

June 10, 2016 by No More Obstacles from United States

If you have a loved one with bipolar disorder or live with it yourself, do NOT miss that episode! Dr. Parker brings serious science to specific issues in an accesible, applicable way. Really, really good.

Stellar podcast!

May 27, 2016 by Tara Williams Phone from United States

I'm all about the mind and body connection, it's time we American's realize the power of both. There are so many amazing things to do in this world and I love that Dr. Parker is reminding us!

This helps

May 27, 2016 by JenRiday from United States

My brother-in-law has bipolar and it's interesting to listen to this and hopefully better understand him. Very helpful!

The Complex made Simple - #PWpeeps - Doc and Jock

April 29, 2016 by JoeShu2326 from United States

The brain is complex and the issues surrounding often convoluted. Not on this podcast! Dr. parker breaks it down simply and concisely!

Fantastic

April 22, 2016 by HappyCoffeeLady44 from United States

Finally someone who brings the mind and body together!

Excellent

April 16, 2016 by M_Glover_88 from United Kingdom

This is a fantastic show. Really great info about a subject I have a huge interest in. Looking forward to more!

Very smart podcast about the epic mind.

April 16, 2016 by dustspecks from United States

Very smart host with very smart guest. This is a great show that can be utilized to dive into the inner workings of the mind and get up to date information about the mind.

Excited!

April 15, 2016 by SeeinADHD.com from United States

As an ADHD Coach, I'm excited to have another quality podcast to recommend to my clients. The mind and body are indeed connected, I'm looking forward to more!

Excellent!!

April 15, 2016 by Italykittyjc from United States

Excellent podcast with awesome content. Very well done. Very informative. Looking forward to listening to more episodes. Great job.

Dr. Parker, Thanks so so much for posting this. My once super healthy life took a nose dive after suffering random severe allergic reactions that have been diagnosed to be MCAS or suspected Mastocytosis by my local immunologist. He referred me to Mayo, but in listening to this entire podcast, I think I need to get on a plane to see Dr. Afrin instead. I suffer anaphylaxis as a routine event. I live on the east coast – can you PLEASE connect me to Dr. Afrin? Charlotte.keefer@yahoo.com

Just found this in the flurry of activities here, and getting ready to republish this Episode. Best to simply follow the links as others have and call for an appointment. He’s a world thought leader, just inquire, they have a super team,
cp

Hi Dr. Parker,
I have POTS, autonomic neuropathy, Ehler-danlos, MTHFR, and my POTS is considered idiopathic. When I was working for you I came down with a virus, which, I have been told, attacked my autonomic system. I have seen Dr. Chemali and a host of other doctors. No one doctor can evaluate how all my symptoms are connected. In other words, there is no whole systems provider. I see my PCP who tries to manage it all. But I have a neurologist, cardiologist, gastrologist, geneticist, urologist, etc… I suspect some kind of mast cell disorder because I constantly itch. The 24 urine test came back negative. No one can figure out the cause of my POTS, and as you know, unless that is found, I wil always have it. TriCare refuses to pay for the mito testing my geneticist wants. So my question to you is, do you think you can help me? You are aware of how disabling this is. Fortunately, I started my own practice, part time, which keeps me sane. In my practice I have diagnosed almost 10 people referred from neurologists for anxiety as actually having POTS. Anything I can find out for myself to improve my symptoms I can pass on to others.
Thank you for being ahead of the curve in this field, you have been researching how illness of the body affects the brain for a long time now. Others are only now beginning to appreciate this connection.
Laura Seibert,LCSW

Thanks for weighing in here – and yes I well remember your decline. With Tricare’s excellent support we can certainly start a more advanced diagnostic process, then, depending on those results we do have the option of s consult w Dr Afrin. I’ve had outstanding recoveries just dealing w underlying immunity issues here in Va Beach. Connect first with Libby and get onto CorePsych schedule ASAP thru http://corepsych.com/appointments
If we did testing previously please drop it by the office so we can sort out those next steps.

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